College History

Since 2011, Sri Lanka

St. Thomas' Catholic International College, the first of its kind in Sri Lanka, is named after the late Msgr. Thomas Cardinal Cooray, who performed the enormous task of elevating the standard of Catholic education in Sri Lanka. It is also dedicated to Thomas the Apostle who also is the Apostle of Asia.

A colossal move was taken by His Grace Most Rev. Dr. Oswald Gomis (Archbishop Emeritus) to enhance the Catholic mission in the field of education in the country. As an initial step, the foundation stone was laid for building, a primary section by Archbishop Emeritus, on 7^th October 2008, in the name of His Eminence Thomas Cardinal Cooray and St. Thomas the Apostle. Very Rev. Fr. Ivan Perera had already made preliminary plans which were concretized with the laying of the foundation stone.

Nevertheless, the execution of the mission and the project came to fruition with His Eminence, who gave life to the vision of His Grace Archbishop Oswald Gomis by assigning the groundwork to Rev. Fr. Ranjith Madurawela in the year 2010. Rev. Fr. Ranith Madurawela who was the Archdiocesan Director of Education and General Manager of Catholic Schools added another notch to this mission by making specific plans for a College, which could provide students with a Catholic environment. This College would be under Archdiocesan management, and whilst providing traditional and integral Catholic guidance and discipline would also base studies in English. The formative years of students would, therefore, be inculcated in a language recognized worldwide and give them the opportunity of rising way above students educated in the vernacular.

The school motto “Fides Quaerens Intellectum” (Knowledge Through Faith) upholds the vision and calls pupils to fathom the destinies of human beings not only in this world but to reach beyond material realities in the light of true faith. Our principal objective is education with a spiritual background and building character in a Catholic atmosphere as a unique means of producing useful and outstanding citizens of the world.

The doors to such learning were made accessible to students on 11^th January 2011, followed by a ceremonial opening on 18^th January 2011 by His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, Archbishop of Colombo, Sri Lanka.

St. Thomas’ Catholic International College’s doors were first opened to students on 11^th January 2011, with a formal ceremonial opening held on 18^th January 2011 under the esteemed patronage of His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, Archbishop of Colombo. The foundation and early growth of the college were guided with extraordinary vision and devotion by pioneer Rector, Rev. Fr. Dr. Kennedy Perera, who served from the institution’s inception until 2021. With unwavering dedication and profound passion, the college’s formative years were not only shaped by Rev. Fr. Dr. Kennedy Perera, but the foundational project entrusted to him by His Grace Most Rev. Dr. Oswald Gomis, Archbishop Emeritus, was also faithfully brought to completion. The enduring cornerstone upon which our college’s reputation for excellence stands today was laid by his inspirational leadership, steadfast commitment to Catholic education, and deep care for the holistic development of every student. The enduring legacy of his visionary leadership and tireless service continues to be felt by the entire college community.